GrowSF Talent
San Francisco Needs You!
San Francisco deserves great leaders who get great outcomes. We need more commonsense, results-oriented people from a wide variety of backgrounds and industries participating in local government. To do this, we need to significantly expand the talent pipeline. And, we need to make it easier for qualified people to find ways to contribute.
If you're a San Franciscan looking to volunteer, join a commission, work in City Hall, or run for office yourself - we can guide you to the right roles, connect you to the right people, and even endorse you if you run.
If you're an elected official looking to hire or appoint exceptional talent, we can help you find the right person for the role.
The future of our city depends on who steps up to lead it - GrowSF Talent is here to help.
For Candidates
GrowSF Talent is here to help
Run for office
In every election cycle, we want the best possible candidates running for office. We’re looking for people with high integrity, a service mindset, strong policy acumen and GrowSF alignment, and the ability to drive relentlessly towards the outcomes voters want. If you plan to run for an elected position, and are interested in GrowSF’s endorsement, submit your interest.
Join a Commission
You don’t have to run for office to have a meaningful impact on our city. Joining a Board, Commission, or Task Force is a great way to lend your time and talent. These groups range in time commitment. Some are paid, but most are unpaid, and some make you eligible for City healthcare benefits. To learn more about the commissions, what vacancies exist, and how to apply for them - check out our Boards, Commissions, and Task Force tracker.
Work for an elected official
Great officials are enabled by great staff — strategic thinkers, policy experts, and operational tempo setters who execute with speed and precision. We work with elected officials to help them get great talent. If you want to work for one of them, let us know.
Join the Civil Grand Jury
Want to investigate the operations of San Francisco? Joining the Civil Grand Jury is a great way to help shine light on public business. You need to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week. The deadline for this year is May 2, 2025. Check out more about the Civil Grand Jury and apply for the 2025-2026 year here.
Commission tracker
Here's just a few commissions that may need great candidates
Behavioral Health Commission
The Commission represents and ensures the inclusion of the diverse voices of consumers, family members, citizens and stakeholders in advising how mental health services are administered and provided. Through its state and city mandates, the MHB advises, reviews, advocates and educates; with the aim of having that advice integrated, incorporated and reflected in implementation of mental health policy; with the ultimate goal of ensuring quality mental health services.
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Board Of Appeals
The Board of Appeals, formerly called the Board of Permit Appeals, is a quasi-judicial body that hears and decides appeals from departmental decisions involving the grant, denial, suspension, or revocation of permits, licenses, variances, zoning administrator determinations, and other use entitlements by various commissions, departments, bureaus, agencies, and officers of the City.
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Building Inspection Commission
The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission and the Department of Building Inspection were created by voter referendum in 1994. The Building Inspection Commission was designed to provide representation for the various communities, which interact with the Building Department. The Building Inspection Commission recommends candidates to serve as the director of DBI, sets policy, hears various appeals on issues leading up to the issuance of building permits, sits as the Abatement Appeals Board to hear appeals of Director's Orders of Abatement, and provides a public forum through their monthly meetings.
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Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission oversees the City’s merit system. They help make sure that San Francisco hires and promotes the best-qualified people for City jobs. They also conduct investigations and hold hearings for workers who think they have been treated unfairly.
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Elections Commission
The San Francisco Elections Commission oversees all public elections in San Francisco. It sets general policies for the Department of Elections and is responsible for the proper administration of its general practices.
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Ethics Commission
The San Francisco Ethics Commission is responsible for the independent and impartial administration and enforcement of laws related to campaign finance, public financing of candidates, governmental ethics, conflicts of interests, and registration and reporting by lobbyists, campaign consultants, permit consultants, and major developers.
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Health Commission
The Health Commission governs and is the policy-making body of the Department of Public Health.
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Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for identifying and designating San Francisco landmarks and buildings in the City's historic districts.
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Homelessness Oversight Commission
The Homelessness Oversight Commission is the body that oversees the work of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.
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Housing Authority Commission
The Housing Authority Commission oversees the Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco. The Authority is a legally separate public entity created under the California Housing Authority Law to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for persons of very low income.
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Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission investigates and mediates complaints of discrimination in housing, employment, and access to public spaces, provides restorative justice and mediation for community disputes, and manages other initiatives as directed by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors.
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Human Services Commission
The Human Services Commission oversees the Department of Benefits and Family Support (BFS) by approving the goals and objectives as reflected in the annual budget. BFS plans and administers a variety of federal, state, and local programs to meet basic human needs and ensure protection of our most vulnerable citizens. BFS provides supportive services to families, children, and single adults.
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Municipal Transportation Agency Board Of Directors
The SFMTA Board of Directors provides policy oversight for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in San Francisco.
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Planning Commission
The Planning Commission oversees the Planning Department. It reviews all proposed amendments to the Planning Code. It is also responsible for periodically recommending amendments to the City’s General Plan to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission has review authority over all permits regulated by the Planning Code, except certain permits issued under Articles 10 and 11.
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Police Commission
The Police Commission is the oversight and policy-making body for the Police Department and the Department of Police Accountability. The Commission also adjudicates discipline cases involving sworn members of the Police Department.
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Port Commission
The Port Commission is responsible for the seven and one-half miles of waterfront adjacent to San Francisco Bay, which the Port develops, markets, leases, administers, manages and maintains.
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Public Utilities Comission
The Public Utilities Commission oversees the department of the same name. The Commission has exclusive charge of the construction, management, supervision, maintenance, extension, expansion, operation, use and control of all water, clean water, and energy supplies and utilities of the City, as well as the real, personal, and financial assets, under the Commission’s jurisdiction.
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Public Works Commission
The Public Works Commission is the oversight body for the Department of Public Works. The Commission sets policy directives and is responsible for reviewing and evaluating department performance, holds hearings on the department's activities, approves contracts and annually hears and approves the department's budget plan.
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Recreation and Park Commission
The Recreation and Park Commission sets the policies and directives for the Recreation and Park Department.
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Small Business Commission
The Small Business Commission oversees the Office of Small Business and analyzes how laws can impact small businesses and how we can help small businesses thrive.
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For elected officials and hiring managers
Looking to grow your team, or make critical appointments, but having a hard time finding great people? Our team can help you find the right person for the role. Email us.
Get in touch
If you have ideas about how to get more great leaders into government, email us!